The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced the completion of a new diamond interchange at Interstate 39 and US 20/Harrison Avenue in Cherry Valley.
44.2 million The USD project is part of a larger $302.4 million project. $ of efforts under Gov. JB Pritzker’s Illinois Capital Reconstruction Program to improve I-39 between US 20/Harrison Avenue and Blackhawk Road in Cherry Valley and Rockford, according to a community release.
“In every corner of the state, Rebuild Illinois supports critical investments in roads like I-39. Thanks to this major project, travelers and freight carriers will have access to safer and more efficient transportation,” Pritzker said in a statement.
Design and safety features
Over the course of two seasons of construction, the project changed from a cloverleaf to a different diamond design. It also included the reconstruction of US 20/Harrison Avenue from Mill Road to South Mall Drive and the reconstruction of the intersection of Harrison Avenue and South Mall Drive. More than 50,000 vehicles, including nearly 15,000 trucks, use this stretch of I-39 daily, according to the report.
Additional features of the project include a bike and pedestrian path along US 20 and Harrison Avenue that connects to the Cherry Valley Trail and the Rockford Regional Trail System, as well as new, more efficient lighting throughout the intersection.
The goal of the new interchange is to improve traffic flow on I-39 and US 20/Harrison Avenue compared to a conventional cloverleaf interchange, increasing safety by reducing potential collision points and improving access to and from the interstate.
“The Distinctive Diamond is one of the best traffic design and engineering innovations of the past decade,” Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi said in a statement. “We are proud to open Illinois’ newest facility in Cherry Valley, which greatly improves safety and creates economic opportunity along one of the state’s major travel and freight corridors.”
Program progress and future projects
Since opening in Illinois, there are now eight different diamond exchanges. The project temporarily diverts vehicles to the opposite side of US 20/Harrison Avenue, eliminating left-turn traffic entering and exiting I-39. Different diamonds have reportedly halved the number of accidents in some areas.
The interchange is the third of five major reconstruction projects on I-39 from Blackhawk Road to I-90. The first – 7.9 million. The $98.8 million Perryville Road bridge replacement over I-39 is slated for completion in 2023. $500,000 reconstruction of the I-39 and US 20 interchange, opening in 2024.
Currently, 125.9 million $ project to widen I-39 from four to six lanes between Mulford Road and Harrison Avenue. This project is expected to be completed in 2028. at the end The last project is 25.5 million.
The public can expect occasional lane closures at US 20 and Harrison Avenue as work continues through next spring, including installation of traffic lights and paving.
in 2019 The approved Illinois Reconstruction Program invests a total of $45 billion over six years. $ to the state’s infrastructure, creating jobs and driving economic growth. The program aims to improve more than 3,200 miles of highway and nearly 9 million square feet of bridge deck, with $2.4 billion for the area, including northwestern Illinois and the Rockford area, according to the release.
For more information, visit rebuildi39.com.
This story was written by reporter Abreanna Blose, ablose@gannett.comwith the help of artificial intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every stage of information gathering, review, editing and publication. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared in the Rockford Register Star: Illinois opens different diamond interchange on I-39